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‘War at Sea’: Chinese Defense Chief Calls on Country to Be Ready for Combat

In a sign of growing escalation, China’s Defense Ministry has called on the country’s military, police and general population to be ready to defend territorial claims in the South China Sea.

In the wake of the Hague-based Court of Arbitration’s decision to deny Beijing’s nine-dash-line territorial claims, tensions in the South China Sea have increased. The United States claims it will continue aggressive military action in the waterway, a move sternly opposed by China.

During a tour of military installations in the coastal Zhejiang Province, China’s Defense Minister Chang Wanquan appeared to raise the bar, calling for “recognition of the seriousness of the national security situation, especially the threat from the sea.”

He also called for preparations for a “people’s war at sea,” according to state-run Xinhua news agency.